[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 217 (Sunday, December 20, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM LAND TRANSFER ACT OF 2020
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask
unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate
consideration of Calendar No. 576, S. 3100.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3100) to convey land in Anchorage, Alaska, to
the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and for other
purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill,
which had been reported from the Committee on Indian Affairs, with an
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu
thereof the following
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY TO THE ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL
HEALTH CONSORTIUM.
(a) Conveyance of Property.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable, but not later than
2 years, after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this
Act as the ``Secretary'') shall convey to the Alaska Native
Tribal Health Consortium located in Anchorage, Alaska
(referred to in this section as the ``Consortium''), all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the
property described in subsection (b) for use in connection
with health programs.
(2) Conditions.--The conveyance of the property under
paragraph (1)--
(A) shall be made by warranty deed; and
(B) shall not--
(i) require any consideration from the Consortium for the
property;
(ii) impose any obligation, term, or condition on the
Consortium; or
(iii) allow for any reversionary interest of the United
States in the property.
(3) Effect on any quitclaim deed.--The conveyance by the
Secretary of title by warranty deed under paragraph (1)
shall, on the effective date of the conveyance, supersede and
render of no future effect any quitclaim deed to the property
described in subsection (b) executed by the Secretary and the
Consortium.
(b) Property Described.--The property referred to in
subsection (a), including all land, improvements, and
appurtenances, is--
(1) Lot 1A in Block 31A, East Addition, Anchorage Townsite,
United States Survey No. 408, Plat No. 96-117, recorded on
November 22, 1996, in the Anchorage Recording District; and
(2) Block 32C, East Addition, Anchorage Townsite, United
States Survey No. 408, Plat No. 96-118, recorded on November
22, 1996, in the Anchorage Recording District.
(c) Environmental Liability.--
(1) Liability.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law--
(i) the Consortium shall not be liable for any soil,
surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting
from the disposal, release, or presence of any environmental
contamination on any portion of the property described in
subsection (b) that occurred on or before the date on which
the property is conveyed to the Consortium under subsection
(a)(1); and
(ii) the Secretary shall not be liable for any soil,
surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting
from the disposal, release, or presence of any environmental
contamination on any portion of the property described in
subsection (b) that occurred after the date on which the
Consortium controlled, occupied, and used the property.
(B) Environmental contamination.--An environmental
contamination described in subparagraph (A) includes any oil
or petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous
materials, hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances,
solid waste, or any other environmental contamination or
hazard as defined in any Federal or State of Alaska law.
(2) Easement.--The Secretary shall be accorded any easement
or access to the property conveyed under subsection (a)(1) as
may be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained
obligation or liability of the Secretary.
(3) Notice of hazardous substance activity and warranty.--
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall comply with
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 120(h)(3) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)(3)).
Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported
substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be
considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The committee-reported amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was
agreed to.
The bill (S. 3100), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
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